Black Tie Bash goes back-to-back

Black Tie Bash (Chapter Seven) built on last week’s lifetime best performance with a second straight harness racing victory in the Preferred-Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday (Oct. 12).

Robert Shepherd slid the gelding into fifth from post seven and reached the quarter-mile marker in that position as Duke Lavictoire set a :27 first panel. Black Tie Bash vacated his seat approaching the half in :56.1 and reeled in the parked-out Fix A Drink (Marie-Claude Auger) as the field moved toward the backstretch.

Black Tie Bash circled his flagging foe and marched on to attack Duke Lavictoire, who trotted to three-quarters in 1:25.4. Black Tie Bash quickly overpowered that rival, clearing as they entered the stretch, and he held off the looming Raising Rusty (Stephane Pouliot) by two lengths in the 1:55.3 victory.

Raising Rusty finished second. Duke Lavictoire tired late but held onto third.

BLACK TIE BASH REPLAY

Black Tie Bash has won nine times this season with all but one of his 17 starts in the Preferred-Handicap. The five-year-old has been favoured in 15 of them. The gelding, trained by Isabelle Darveau for Shepherd, is now 27-for-80 lifetime and has built his bankroll up to $213,708.

The victory was part of a four-win evening for Shepherd. The driver also piloted winners Stonebridge Icing (Lookslikeachpndale, 1:58.4), Butterfly Kisses (Big Jim, 1:54.4), and Xtra Cheese (Betterthancheddar, 1:55).

Rideau Carleton Raceway will conclude its race week with a 10-race card on Sunday, Oct. 15. The first dash is set for 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For compete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink